S12 - M5: Raid on Paradise

[Kirok]

[Main Engineering]

EQ's padd dinged.  A program he had left running had finally loaded.  "Mind if I use a terminal" he asked.

Then he turned and logged in.  Technology was great.  He could work from just about anywhere on the ship.

As his machine came to life, he noticed an alert on his virtual board.  A ship had been detected.  "Damit" he muttered.

"So much for vacation, Buddy.  We got company" he said to Alex.  Then he tapped his com badge.  -/\-EQ to Command Staff on duty.  We have a ship that just appeared out of no where.  What are your orders-/\- he said.

[T'Ra Jones]

"Contact your ship here, now!"

Nevir stayed silent, but complied, hailing the Discovery.  He held no look while the connection was established, and Nevir was shown with a rifle to his head and a Kazon holding him.

"This is Namok of the Kazon-Ogla.  We have your crew.  Surrender your ship, or we will start executing them one by one.  Failure to comply will incur the wrath of Maje Ralak."

[Main Engineering]

"So much for vacation, Buddy.  We got company" he said to Alex.  Then he tapped his com badge.  -/\-EQ to Command Staff on duty.  We have a ship that just appeared out of nowhere.  What are your orders-/\- he said.

[Disco - Personal Quarters]

Evan tilted his head, furrowing his brows like a sad puppy. Steve nudged against her shin with his little nose, looking up at her with the same mopey expression. "Don't give me those looks," T'Ra sighed. "You know as well as I do that I have to go."

"But even the captain deserves a chance to rest. You've been working too much," Evan protested.

"Yes, but that's why I have to go. I'm the captain."

[Corridor ---> Bridge]

Her mind was running in circles as she made her way to the bridge, spinning like a wheel that couldn't find traction. Tekin had yet to reply, and that worried her. She was almost to the bridge when another call cut through her muddled thoughts.

-/\-This is Jones,-/\- she replied. -/\-Bring us to red alert. See what you can do about beaming our people back aboard.-/\- She took a breath and a few more steps before tapping her badge again. -/\-All senior officers, report to the bridge.-/\-

[Bridge]

The doors parted, and T'Ra entered the bridge amongst a flurry of activity. Somehow the smaller size seemed compound the bustling, and it was almost as if there was something buzzing around her ear. "Report," she barked.

No one replied, simply motioning to the main viewer. There was her first officer, a gun to his head. And attached to the gun was a Kazon male. "I will only repeat myself once, Captain. This is Namok of the Kazon-Ogla.  We have your crew.  Surrender your ship, or we will start executing them one by one.  Failure to comply will incur the wrath of the Maje."

[Kirok]

[Disco - Personal Quarters]

Evan tilted his head, furrowing his brows like a sad puppy. Steve nudged against her shin with his little nose, looking up at her with the same mopey expression. "Don't give me those looks," T'Ra sighed. "You know as well as I do that I have to go."

"But even the captain deserves a chance to rest. You've been working too much," Evan protested.

"Yes, but that's why I have to go. I'm the captain."

[Corridor ---> Bridge]

Her mind was running in circles as she made her way to the bridge, spinning like a wheel that couldn't find traction. Tekin had yet to reply, and that worried her. She was almost to the bridge when another call cut through her muddled thoughts.

-/\-This is Jones,-/\- she replied. -/\-Bring us to red alert. See what you can do about beaming our people back aboard.-/\- She took a breath and a few more steps before tapping her badge again. -/\-All senior officers, report to the bridge.-/\-

[Bridge]

The doors parted, and T'Ra entered the bridge amongst a flurry of activity. Somehow the smaller size seemed compound the bustling, and it was almost as if there was something buzzing around her ear. "Report," she barked.

No one replied, simply motioning to the main viewer. There was her first officer, a gun to his head. And attached to the gun was a Kazon male. "I will only repeat myself once, Captain. This is Namok of the Kazon-Ogla.  We have your crew.  Surrender your ship, or we will start executing them one by one.  Failure to comply will incur the wrath of the Maje."

[Main Engineering]

EQ was not senior staff.  But he did hear the call for Red Alert.  "Gotta go" he said apologetically to Alex.

And then he turned and head back to his quarters.  He dropped his bag.  Then did a quick change into his uniform.

[Bridge]

Minutes later,  he emerged on the Bridge.  He got seated just before the Kazon's face appeared.  But he wasted no time, he logged in and started pushing power the defenses, weapons, and scanners.

Then he turned to T'Ra.  He recognized her.  But he did not expect her to be sitting in the central chair.  He kept his composure and turned slight back to the view screen.

[T'Ra Jones]

[Bridge]

Minutes later,  he emerged on the Bridge.  He got seated just before the Kazon's face appeared.  But he wasted no time, he logged in and started pushing power the defenses, weapons, and scanners.

Then he turned to T'Ra.  He recognized her.  But he did not expect her to be sitting in the central chair.  He kept his composure and turned slight back to the view screen.

[Bridge]

T'Ra didn't turn her head when the doors to the bridge parted again and again, keeping her gaze focused on the main viewer. "Well, Captaaaaain," the Kazon snarled. "What say you?"

"I say I want to speak with your Maje directly," T'Ra replied in a level tone.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible," Namok hissed. "And the Maje's patience is waning. You will surrender your ship, now!"

"Mute the channel," T'Ra asked, now turning to face the senior officers who had gathered on the bridge. She noted EQ standing ready at Ops, recalling that he had been transferred here from the Shran. It was funny how people's paths could cross from time to time, but this was not the moment to revisit old ties. She simply nodded to the liberated borg.

She blinked, so exhausted, but she couldn't rest. Not yet. "What's our situation?" she asked. To EQ, "You said their ship just appeared out of nowhere? Are they alone?"

[Alexander Wu]

[NPC Post: Lieutenant Luchico]

[Bridge]

Why she hadn't chosen to pack earlier, she had no idea, but Luchico found herself once again running back onto the bridge due to the red alert instead of getting inebriated on the planet below. Once she saw the viewscreen though, Marie realized she had been fortunate. Going straight to the helm station and logging back on, she turned to report in and let out a slight yelp of surprise.

"Uh...Captain?" Luchico quickly composed herself, although she was still confused as to who the unfamiliar Vulcan was sitting in the command seat. I guess Kirok really did leave on the Lirpa. I wonder why. "Our warp core was taken offline for maintenance, I can only give you full impulse until it's back up."

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

T'Ra didn't turn her head when the doors to the bridge parted again and again, keeping her gaze focused on the main viewer. "Well, Captaaaaain," the Kazon snarled. "What say you?"

"I say I want to speak with your Maje directly," T'Ra replied in a level tone.

"I'm afraid that isn't possible," Namok hissed. "And the Maje's patience is waning. You will surrender your ship, now!"

"Mute the channel," T'Ra asked, now turning to face the senior officers who had gathered on the bridge. She noted EQ standing ready at Ops, recalling that he had been transferred here from the Shran. It was funny how people's paths could cross from time to time, but this was not the moment to revisit old ties. She simply nodded to the liberated borg.

She blinked, so exhausted, but she couldn't rest. Not yet. "What's our situation?" she asked. To EQ, "You said their ship just appeared out of nowhere? Are they alone?"

[Bridge]

EQ did not hear his name, but he knew T'Ra was talking to him.  He started tapping in commands.  "Scanning" he said.

He station dinged a moment later.  "No other ships within scanning distance.  But we have a few blind spots" he reported.

"Behind the moon and on the opposite side of the planet" the liberated borg explained.  They could send out probes to determine that one way or another.  But the Kazon may interpret that as shots fired.  So it was the Captain's call.

[NPC Post: Lieutenant Luchico]

[Bridge]

Why she hadn't chosen to pack earlier, she had no idea, but Luchico found herself once again running back onto the bridge due to the red alert instead of getting inebriated on the planet below. Once she saw the viewscreen though, Marie realized she had been fortunate. Going straight to the helm station and logging back on, she turned to report in and let out a slight yelp of surprise.

"Uh...Captain?" Luchico quickly composed herself, although she was still confused as to who the unfamiliar Vulcan was sitting in the command seat. I guess Kirok really did leave on the Lirpa. I wonder why. "Our warp core was taken offline for maintenance, I can only give you full impulse until it's back up."

[Bridge]

EQ turned to Wu.  He had just been down in Main Engineering.  So he had some information to provide.

"Alex Campball is currently down in Engineering.  He may be able help get the warp core back on line quicker.  If not, we have phasers and shields if needed" he added.

[Fala Awen]

[Ilandria: Ilandrian Gardens]

Awen waited, hoping to hear something back from the Discovery, but no response came. At least not yet. Of course, if the Kazon were on the planet, it stood to reason that they had a ship in orbit too. It could be that the Discovery was in combat with them, or at least speaking with them. That would explain the delay in response.

Holding the communicator up close to his lips so he could whisper, Alex keyed the badge. "Fala, this is Wu. Stay hidden, I'm going to try and get to y-"=/\= Startled by a snapping twig, he spun around midsentence, fast enough to comprehend the riflebutt coming towards his face but not quick enough to block it. Merde! Was the only appropriate thought before a flash of pain erupted through his head, and blackness followed.

The Bajoran froze in place as she heard Alex's voice. She heard a twig snap, both through his communicator and somewhat nearby. Glancing over, she watched as one of the Kazon hit Alex with his gun, knocking him out. Awen winced at the sight, but as she watched, two more Kazon joined the first. If it had just been the one, she might have been able to subdue him and rescue Alex...three was a bit much for just her, though, especially considering the weapons they had.

Staying low, Awen quickly and quietly moved back from the outer shrubberies. She looked around cautiously as she moved back towards the walled garden. It was likely the Kazon were sweeping the area, so she really needed a good place to hide if she wanted to avoid being captured.

The Bajoran didn't see the entrance on this side of the wall, so she quietly advanced to the next corner, peeked around some ivy, and moved when she saw the coast was clear. A sense of relief washed over her as she saw the doorway and slipped inside.

The stone walls surrounded a lovely garden with three bubbling fountains, flowers, plants, more shrubberies, trees, benches, and a pond. Glancing around, Awen found a tree that was growing close to the wall, with a branch low enough that she could climb it. She moved quickly and quietly over to it, jumped and grabbed onto the lowest branch, and adjusted her grip to be more secure. Twisting her body as she pulled, she managed to get one leg hooked over the branch and then the other.

Pausing to look up, she found a couple more branches she could get to and began climbing further up. Partway up, Awen stopped and moved close to the tree trunk. This would have to be good enough for now. She tapped her comm badge and spoke quietly, =A=Fala to Discovery. Kazon have taken Commander Wu and others. I'm currently hiding to try to avoid being discovered and watching what happens. Will report back in when I have more information. Please avoid contact unless necessary so I don't get exposed.  Fala out.=A=

On the one hand, she really would have preferred to hear back from the ship... On the other, they could try contacting her right when more Kazon showed up and her advantage, slim as it was, would be gone. From her vantage point, she tried to get a better look at what was happening...

OFF:

[T'Ra Jones]

[NPC Post: Lieutenant Luchico]
[Bridge]

"Uh...Captain?" Luchico quickly composed herself, although she was still confused as to who the unfamiliar Vulcan was sitting in the command seat. I guess Kirok really did leave on the Lirpa. I wonder why. "Our warp core was taken offline for maintenance, I can only give you full impulse until it's back up."

[Bridge]

EQ did not hear his name, but he knew T'Ra was talking to him.  He started tapping in commands.  "Scanning" he said.

He station dinged a moment later.  "No other ships within scanning distance.  But we have a few blind spots" he reported.

"Behind the moon and on the opposite side of the planet" the liberated borg explained.  They could send out probes to determine that one way or another.  But the Kazon may interpret that as shots fired.  So it was the Captain's call.

"Alex Campbell is currently down in Engineering.  He may be able help get the warp core back on line quicker.  If not, we have phasers and shields if needed" he added.

[Ilandria: Ilandrian Gardens]

She tapped her comm badge and spoke quietly, =A=Fala to Discovery. Kazon have taken Commander Wu and others. I'm currently hiding to try to avoid being discovered and watching what happens. Will report back in when I have more information. Please avoid contact unless necessary so I don't get exposed.  Fala out.=A=

[Bridge]

"Impulse will have to do for now," T'Ra replied to the officer at the helm. In any case, they weren't going anywhere until they got the crew safely back on the ship. The channel was still muted, but she could see the Kazon's bulky form twitch from the corner of her eye. Despite the lack of words, his message was quite clear. They were running out of time.

-/\-Bridge to Engineering,-/\- T'Ra called, -/\-we need that engine back online. Now.-/\-

She turned back to EQ. "Launch those probes." If there was only the one ship, they didn't have to worry too much about retaliation. But the more they knew about the other ship, the better, and if there were more on the way, they needed to know that too.

[Tekin Nevir]

[Planet - Admin Building]

Nevir held onto a straight face, but he was grinning as his captor got more and more upset at the fact that there were images on the screen, but the Captain had muted herself.  The Kazon went as far as shouting at her, but there was no sound, or even acknowledgement that she heard him.

That earned Nevir a pinch as the head Kazon grabbed his collar, yanking him up to his face.  "Does your captain care so little of your life?  Or her's?  I demand you make her answer me."

Nevir said nothing, but the Kazon didn't need an answer.  He looked down at the collar he was holding.  Three solid pips.  That chacotay officer also had three... that must mean...

The Kazon gave a slick grin.  "This will be even better.  You will give me control of your ship, or I will destroy it."

Nevir raised an eye.  "Has that demand ever actually worked?"

The Bajoran was thrown to the ground and the rifle was back pointed at his head.  He gave a defiant look, before the Kazon grabbed him and dragged him to a backroom.  As he was being pulled in, another Kazon showed up.

"Sir!  We found another one, we're bringing him in."

"Excellent.  Inform the Maje.  Let him know the Federation is being uncooperative."

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

"Impulse will have to do for now," T'Ra replied to the officer at the helm. In any case, they weren't going anywhere until they got the crew safely back on the ship. The channel was still muted, but she could see the Kazon's bulky form twitch from the corner of her eye. Despite the lack of words, his message was quite clear. They were running out of time.

-/\-Bridge to Engineering,-/\- T'Ra called, -/\-we need that engine back online. Now.-/\-

She turned back to EQ. "Launch those probes." If there was only the one ship, they didn't have to worry too much about retaliation. But the more they knew about the other ship, the better, and if there were more on the way, they needed to know that too.

[Bridge]

"Aye, Captain" EQ replied.  He had already prepped for this outcome.  So he was able to deliver with a simple tap of a button.

Three probes launched.  They came out pointing away from the Kazon.  So they would be considered an act of way even by the most difficult of species.

"Probes away, Ma'me.  I should have readings for you soon" the liberated Borg said.  Then he looked back up at the screen.

[T'Ra Jones]

[Bridge]

It was unwise to act until they had more information on who they were dealing with. T'Ra knew she had to stall for time, but as the Kazon dragged her first officer into another room, movement in the side of the picture caught her eye. Another Kazon approached, and though the channel was muted, she could read his lips. They had another officer. It had to be Wu.

"Is it feasible to begin beaming people back up?" she asked the bridge crew. There were so many factors to consider.

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

It was unwise to act until they had more information on who they were dealing with. T'Ra knew she had to stall for time, but as the Kazon dragged her first officer into another room, movement in the side of the picture caught her eye. Another Kazon approached, and though the channel was muted, she could read his lips. They had another officer. It had to be Wu.

"Is it feasible to begin beaming people back up?" she asked the bridge crew. There were so many factors to consider.

[Bridge]

EQ considered the question.  "With shield up, Ma'me.  It would be near impossible.  Unless we can get away from the Kazon ship, out of their weapons range.  Then we could try it" the liberated borg said.

[LK Reede]

Hearing phaser fire and the resultant screams, LK immediately fell on the ground, sidling toward a copse of trees. Just as she rolled to a stop, she realized she still had her uniform on. Her type 1 phaser was tucked into the small pouch at the back of her slacks.

A rustling and a swish sounded above her. Looking up, Lt. Reede saw the bottom of a boot disappear as it flung itself over a tree branch. Squinting, she glimpsed the profile of the Bajoran science officer. They'd never formally met, but they'd been in the same briefings together. Well, if she can do it, I can, too. Taking a deep breath, LK carefully looked around, noting the beautiful scenery that she didn't have time to fully appreciate. At least she didn't see any enemies. She stood, crouched and thrust herself up onto the same branch ensign Alway had climbed on. Away? Awen? Oh, well, I'll find out soon enough.

Sitting on the branch, keeping her balance by placing her fingertips on the trunk of the tree, she touched her comm badge opening a personal channel. Then she whispered, Reede to Awen. I'm below you. Do you have a plan?

Hope I got her name right.

[Kirok]

[Bridge]

EQ had offered his opinion.  So, he turned back to his duty station.  It dinged.

"Probes are starting to provide information.  I'll have something in a minute" he said.  Hopefully this would be the one time luck was on their side and there were no other enemy ships in the area.

[T'Ra Jones]

[Bridge]

EQ considered the question.  "With shield up, Ma'am.  It would be near impossible.  Unless we can get away from the Kazon ship, out of their weapons range.  Then we could try it" the liberated borg said.

[Bridge]

EQ had offered his opinion.  So, he turned back to his duty station.  It dinged.

"Probes are starting to provide information.  I'll have something in a minute" he said.  Hopefully this would be the one time luck was on their side and there were no other enemy ships in the area.

[Bridge]

A brief moment of silence ensued, and T'Ra found herself thinking about the strange situation she had found herself in: on a new ship, in the captain's chair, dealing with a hostage situation, and pregnant. She was tired and irritable, but the safety of the crew came before all else. Though she did not know them yet, they were now like family to her.

EQ was right, voicing concerns she already feared would be true. They could not beam anyone back up without lowering the shields, and she was not about to do that, at least not until they had a better idea of the enemy's strength and numbers.

"Do we have locations on everyone down there?" she asked.